Romance, passion, drama—there’s something so fascinating about the Netflix’s docu-series, The Romantics. Based on the life of Bollywood’s iconic filmmaker, Yash Raj Chopra, it gives you a peek into what goes on behind the camera! After watching the docu-series, I was so nostalgic that I spent the past week revisiting the YRF’s iconic movies.
My biggest takeaway? There’s a right way of starting a YRF movie marathon. You gotta start from the beginning of the epic YRF romance and then gradually witness the making of a legacy. Feel like experiencing some “Ishq wala love”? Watch the YRF romances in the following order:
Movie 1: Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Before Kabhi Kabhie, Yash Chopra worked on films like Dhool Ka Phool and Deewaar. Both were serious dramas and a far cry from romance. Then Kabhie Kabhie happened. It marked the end of Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘angry young man’ image and the beginning of the classic Yash Chopra romance. The story revolves around Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) and Pooja (Rakhee Gulzar) who’re truly, madly, deeply in love. They decide to part ways and marry different people owing to family pressure. Things take a turn when they meet again after years.
Watch Kabhie Kabhie on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 2: Silsila (1981)
Back in the day, Silsila tanked at the box office. But it doesn’t take away the fact that it was a masterpiece. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, and Jaya Bachchan, the film explored the topic of adultery. This one’s a must-watch Yash Chopra movie for Amitabh and Rekha’s sizzling chemistry!
Watch Silsila on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 3: Chandni (1989)
Chandni was Yash Chopra’s do-or-die film after a slew of box office duds. And oh my! Sirdevi aka Chandni in her white apsara avatar and Rishi Kapoor as Rohit, a dynamic man, who gets paralysed after an accident created magic. Watch this one for the magic of Yash Chopra’s soul-touching music and portrayal of twisted love.
Watch Chandni on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 4: Lamhe (1991)
Complex and ahead of its time, Lamhe was the story of Viren (Anil Kapoor), who doesn’t get his pehla pyaar, Pallavi (Sridevi). However, in a twisted turn of events, he ends up raising and marrying Pallavi’s daughter Pooja, who is mommy’s xerox copy. This YRF Film didn’t work back in the day because of the controversial subject matter. It was a great watch though and still is!
Watch Lamhe an Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 5: Darr (1993)
In this film, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) loves Kkk..Kiran (Juhi Chawla), who gets engaged to Sunil (Sunny Deol). But this love triangle isn’t as simple as it sounds. Wwww..watch this one for SRK’s dramatic portrayal of an obsessive lover. It’s a lesson in what not to do in love and makes for an entertaining watch with picture-perfect shots, bang-on outfits, and foot-tapping music.
Watch Darr on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 6: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
I must have watched DDLJ for the 157585969th time last week and it still had the same effect on me. Aditya Chopra’s debut directorial venture is a dreamy love story of Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol). The two meet in Switzerland, fall in love, but get separated when Simran’s conservative bauji (Amrish Puri) gets to know about the affair. Raj follows Simran to India and the two convince her bauji. You’ve got to watch it, Senorita.
Watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 7: Mohabbatein (1997)
Three young lover boys–Vikram (Uday Chopra), Sameer (Jugal Hansraj), and Karan (Jimmy Shergill) in a strict gurukul, are empowered by a lovelorn music teacher (Shah Rukh Khan) to go after their mohabbatein. Aditya Chopra’s second directorial film is full of romance, love, and emotions. Extra points for SRK’s iconic sweater on the shoulder look!
Watch Mohabbatein on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 8: Veer Zaara (2004)
Veer Zaara is a classic cross-border love story that’ll make you cry a river. An Indian rescue pilot, Veer (Shah Rukh Khan) falls in love with a Pakistani girl Zaara (Preity Zinta) while saving her. They’re separated by mazhabs and borders but united by love after years of yearning and struggle. Trust me, this Yash Chopra Film is worth every tear for its high-riding emotions and magical SRK-Preity chemistry.
Watch Veer Zaara on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 9: Hum Tum (2004)
Back in 2004, Hum Tum came as a breath of fresh air. It had a contemporary feel and a very modern idea of love and relationships. Karan (Saif Ali Khan) and Rhea (Rani Mukerji) meet on a flight, end up hating each other, but keep bumping into each other at different stages of their lives. Eventually, they end up together like they were destined to. Watch this one for Hum and Tum’s endearing journey and the best fashion looks from the early 2000s.
Watch Hum Tum on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 10: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
Taani (Anushka Sharma) enters into a loveless marriage with an old fashioned, uncool Surinder Sahni (Shah Rukh Khan) to fulfill her father’s last wish. The lovestruck Surinder gets a major makeover and wins over Taani while preparing for a dance competition with her. Yes, Taani’s inability to recognise her own husband is cray. But then again, one tends to go blind in love! Watch it to witness unabashed love, Aditya Chopra’s brilliance, and of course, a double dose of SRK!
Watch Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 11: Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
This movie gave us Ranveer Singh, for God’s sake! But honestly, the real reason why you need to watch it is because of Shruti (Anushka Sharma) and Bittoo’s (Ranveer Singh) solid Dilliwala love. They start a wedding planning company and are able to make it big too. However, their professional relationship is jeopardised when Shruti falls in love with Bittoo.
Watch Band Baaja Baaraat on Amazon Prime Video.
Movie 12: Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
Jab Tak Hai Jaan has to be my second favourite after DDLJ. Samar (Shah Rukh Khan) loves Meera (Katrina Kaif) but starts working as a bomb disposal specialist in India after she leaves him. Then Akira (Anushka Sharma), a journalist, falls in love with Samar but decides to reunite the lovers. Classic SRK romance on beautiful London streets. Ufff! It doesn’t get any better.
Watch Jab Tak Hai Jaan on Amazon Prime Video.
Even if you’ve watched these movies before, after The Romantics, you will watch them with an entirely different perspective. I sure did. Enjoy!
Also Read
Interesting Facts About Netflix’s Romantics: Everything you need to know about the docu-series on the legacy of Yash Raj Films.
Featured Image: Twitter
